The dog is shown to be a creature of instinct. It is the dog that is in tune with nature and is sensitive to what is happening around him. The man, by contrast, arrogantly assumes that he is superior to nature. The text makes clear that he does not have an appropriate humility in the face of the colossal greatness and majest of nature. His belief that he can, through an imposition of his will, survive, leads to his death. It is highly ironic that at the end of the story it is the dog who is shown to be superior to the man, as it is the dog that survives and makes his way to warmth and food.